Tahini is an amazing beauty food that we should all strive to get into our lives more, as it’s full of protein, calcium and other minerals. But how to do that, exactly? 

If you’re not used to eating tahini, it might come across as densely nutty and you might not know exactly how to mix it. That was me some years ago! I didn’t grow up eating tahini and wasn’t exactly sure how to work with it. But over time I’ve come up with some really tasty recipes- if I do say so myself! :). They are sprinkled throughout the Beauty Detox books, and here is another one to share with you today…my Tasty Tahini Chopped Salad.

Beautifying Tahini

Tahini is basically ground sesame seeds, those itty bitty little seeds that are surprisingly full of so much nutrition- including protein and calcium. They are one of the top beauty foods listed in my Beauty Detox Foods book.

Here are a few stand-out benefits to adding tahini to the mix:

Healthy Fats and Power Protein Source

Tahini is exceptionally silky smooth, due to its delicate high oil content.  Studies show that these seeds contain up to 55 percent oil and 20 percent protein—providing both healthy fats and certain essential amino acids—which are the building blocks of protein[1].

Sesame seeds are about 20 percent protein by weight, making them a higher protein food than most other seeds or nuts. Their fats are pretty delicate, so I would be sure to keep your tahini the fridge and only use it in raw recipes and preparations, as the fats can easily become rancid.

Improves Skin Health

Beautiful, supple skin is a universally sought after trait across the globe. Our skin says so much about our inner health! Sesame seeds are excellent for cellular rejuvenation, providing an excellent source of amino acids, vitamin E, B vitamins, trace minerals and fatty acids.

It’s a natural antibacterial and antifungal agent, which means it kills bacteria that can clog pores. Healthy fats are key for skin health because fats are needed to lower inflammation and keep skin moist.

In addition, sesame oil (sometimes called “the queen of oils”) has been used to treat skin wounds, burns, sensitivities and dryness for thousands of years[2].

Tahini also provides minerals like zinc (needed to repair and give skin its youthful elasticity and firmness). Eating tahini can help in improving your skin by boosting your fat and nutrient intake. And of course, sesame oil is fantastic for your abyhanga practice, as I discuss in Radical Beauty!

Essential Vitamins & Minerals

Want to get in your B vitamins (like thiamine), and minerals (including magnesium, copper, phosphorus, manganese, iron and zinc)? Tahini is a great way to do it.

You will also receive your daily copper—needed to maintain nerve, bone and metabolic health—and preventing copper deficiency. The iron in tahini can help with anemia, due to this disorder being characterized by low red blood cell counts, iron deficiency and fatigue. The B vitamins within tahini also help us to deal with stress. Is there anything tahini can’t do?!

You will start to notice that a small amount of tahini goes a long way, with it’s rich, nutty flavor that comes through strongly in recipes, Test it out by giving this new salad a try. Let’s check it out…

 

I hope you adore this salad as I do, and may it brighten your day, skin and energy! x

See this full tasty recipe below…

Keep this recipe handy by adding it to your Dinner Recipes Pinterest Board!

Love,
Kimberly

[1] Amino acids
[2] Value addition in sesame: A perspective on bioactive components for enhancing utility and profitability

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